14 Lawn Mowing Mistakes Everyone Makes (and How to Fix Them)

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According to 2023 figures provided by Angi , the average cost to pout a lawn is $ 124 — it ’s no wonder that so many homeowners choose to cut their own grass ! While mowing one ’s own lawn certainly deserves an A for effort , not everyone let top marks in murder .

If the grass looks greener on the other side of the fence than it does in your backyard , it could be that you ’re making one of these cardinal mop mistakes . Are any of these bad practice session cost you a considerably - depend lawn ?

woman examining a broken lawnmower on its side

Photo: istockphoto.com

1. Buying the wrong mower

You could be making a whole caboodle of extra work for yourself because you ’re using the wrong mower . If you have more than a one-half acre of property , mow with a push lawn mower will take an inordinately tenacious sentence . On the other mitt , in a diminished yard ( 1/4 acre or less ) , a lawn tractor will only get in the way . When shopping for the right mower for your yard , regard the size of it of your lawn , the terrain , and how many trees you demand to maneuver around .

2. Running the mower at half speed

Some phratry mistakenly trust that head for the hills ariding lawn mowerat full speed is forged for the engine and shortens the life story of your machine . That ’s not needs true . Every tractor has an optimal sword tip speed , and hitting a higher rev on your railway locomotive means you ’ll get an even better slash .

3. Mowing too quickly

While it ’s okay to execute the mower at full speed , it is n’t a in force estimation to festinate through mowing the lawn . Take your time to ascertain you get a clean , even cut . The last affair you need is for the lawn to depend messier than it did before you trim back it .

4. Using dull blades

One of the simple path to a clean - cutting lawn is a fresh stage set of blades . Lawn mower sword wear down with habit , just like razor vane do . You ’ll be capable to severalize when it ’s time tosharpen your mower bladesby front at grass blade after you mop them : Ragged , jagged , and rupture grass is a sign the blade need to be sharpened . It ’s a just mind to keep a superfluous bent of mower blades in the garage so you’re able to swap in bracing blade while you ’re sharpen the tedious bent without waiting to mow .

5. Cutting the grass while it’s wet

mow stiff grass is n’t a great idea : Not only is it unsafe to go hard machinery on a slick open , but damp clippings are also likely to stick to , and clog , your mower . The better strategy is to keep an eye on the conditions prognosis and cut down before it rain down .

6. Not mowing often enough

Want to keep your lawn looking luxurious all summertime long ? Cut it often , but do n’t cut too much at once . For the strongest , healthiest grass , you ’ll require to abbreviate no more than 1/3 off the top each time you mow . Adjust the blade pinnacle as necessary , and do n’t grant the Gunter Wilhelm Grass to grow too long between cuts .

7. Cutting grass too short

Do you think you may economise time by give your lawn a major passementerie so you do n’t have to mow as frequently ? suppose again . Mowing more than 1/3 of the grass blades damages the lawn . Known as “ scalping the lawn , ” a super short cut makes the yard more prostrate to weeds , and forces the gage to focus on regrowing its blade than deepen its roots . If you ’re hoping for alush lawn(and who is n’t ? ) avoid consecrate it a crowd cut .

8. Sticking to a rigid schedule

It might be convenient for you to pout on a veritable docket so you’re able to check the job off your to - do list , but it ’s important to have some flexibility . In the outflow and summer , grass grows quickly and require to be garnish more often . That said , await a day or two after rainfall and allow longer break if your localisation is go through a drought .

9. Mowing in the same pattern every time

When you come after the same itinerary every clip you mow the lawn , the grass begin to grow in the direction it ’s being reduce . Varying the pattern ensures the grass will develop good , as well as fend off ruts in the lawn . Mix up the commission every metre you cut down the lawn .

10. Cleaning up the clippings

There ’s no pauperism to skim and bag after you mow : pull through yourself the effort and leave thegrass clippingson the lawn . The fighting will disintegrate quick and provide good nutrient to the soil .

11. Not cleaning the mower

You ’re guess to clean the underside of a lawn mower after every use , but many homeowners permit this small chore slide . The next time you mow , take the time to do the cleaning . Not only do clipping block right flow of air necessary for mulch or bagging clippings , but moisture and plant food traces can rust the deck of the mower , stimulate premature rust and wear .

12. Ignoring the maintenance manual

If you treat your lawn lawn mower well , it will return the favor . Consult the product manual to determine how often you need to change the fossil oil and filters . These unproblematic upkeep tasks will improve performance , extend the life of the mower , and make it run away more smoothly overall . Filters more often than not need to be changed after 250 to 300 hours of use ( or once per season ) ; the oil should be changed after 50 hour of use . Mark reminders on your calendar so you do n’t miss a all-important tune up .

13. Improper mower storage during the off season

The last affair you require make out spring is to find that the mower wo n’t start because of sticky , spaced fuel in the tank . Not only is it thwarting to deal with , it ’s not great for the lawn mower . Addfuel stabilizerto the tank and prevail the lawn mower for 10 to 15 arcminute to circulate the stabiliser before you stow it away for the time of year .

14. Ignoring safety protocol

However handsome or small your lawn mower is , it ’s a sinewy piece of machinery . Taking proper safety guard every fourth dimension you pout is essential . Most important , keep the small ones and pets in spite of appearance while you pout . Be sure the discharge chute is properly attached to the mower , too , so detritus does n’t fly up and attain you .

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